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[monks data]
Feb 18, 2023 at 3pm UK at Jonny-Rocks Stadium
Cheltenham
0 - 4
Barnsley
FT(HT: 0-3)
Norwood (7'), Kane (14'), Phillips (36'), Williams (73')

Preview: Cheltenham Town vs. Barnsley - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Cheltenham Town and Barnsley, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Cheltenham Town will attempt to claim a second straight victory when they play host to Barnsley on Saturday.

The visitors, who sit in the League One playoff places, are unbeaten in five games, and they have the chance to record a third consecutive win.


Match preview

Barnsley manager Michael Duff before the match on January 8, 2023© Reuters

After failing to win any of the first seven league matches of 2023, Cheltenham ended their long wait for a victory with a narrow 2-1 away victory over Cambridge United last weekend.

Elliot Bonds gave the Robins the lead in the second half, before Cambridge's Joe Ironside restored parity from the penalty spot just four minutes later.

With 11 minutes remaining, James Olayinka netted a winning goal for Wade Elliott's side, which leaves them in 18th position - five points above the relegation zone.

Despite claiming an away victory last Saturday, Cheltenham have failed to win any of their last four home league matches.

Having failed to score in three of their previous four games at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium, Cheltenham need to find their shooting boots if they are to secure their first home league win since November 19.

Barnsley have claimed four victories in their five-game unbeaten league run, registering at least two goals in all of those wins.

In their most recent outing, the Tykes brushed aside Port Vale via a 3-1 scoreline thanks to strikes from Luca Connell, Liam Kitching and Adam Phillips.

As a result of their impressive form, Barnsley occupy the final playoff position and are three points clear of seventh-placed Wycombe Wanderers, who have played a game more.

The Tykes head into the weekend with the third-best away record in the division after picking up 25 points from their 15 away matches - only Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town have collected more points on their travels this season.

After beating Cheltenham 1-0 when the two sides met in August, Barnsley boss Michael Duff, who guided the Robins to promotion from League Two in the 2020-21 season, will have the chance to complete a league double over his former club.

Cheltenham Town League One form:

Barnsley League One form:


Team News

Barnsley players group around manager Michael Duff on January 8, 2023© Reuters

As for Cheltenham, they are unable to call upon the services of Lewis Freestone, Ben Williams, Will Ferry and Tom Bradbury.

Glen Rea joined the Robins on loan from Luton Town on the final day of the transfer window, but he is yet to link up with his new side as he continues his rehabilitation for a knee injury with his parent club.

After returning from injury to score against Cambridge last weekend, Bonds will retain his place in the side, but his fellow goalscorer Olayinka will remain on the bench, with Elliott expected to name an unchanged lineup.

As for the visitors, they are still expected to be without Josh Benson and Robbie Cundy due to injury issues.

Duff has indicated that Luke Thomas, who has been sidelined since October, could make his long-awaited return to the matchday squad, although he may only be fit enough to feature among the substitutes.

Phillips came off the bench at half time to get on the scoresheet last weekend, and his performance could earn him a recall to the starting lineup.

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:
Southwood; Long, Taylor, Raglan; Jackson, Bonds, Sercombe, Perry, Broom; May, Brown

Barnsley possible starting lineup:
Isted; Williams, Thomas, Andersen, Kitching, Cadden; Phillips, Connell, Kane; Norwood, Cole


SM words green background

We say: Cheltenham Town 1-3 Barnsley

Although Cheltenham claimed their first league win of 2023 last weekend, they are unbeaten in four home matches in the third tier, and we think that they will be unable to trouble a Barnsley side who have won four of their last five games.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data

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Game History

How you voted: Cheltenham vs Barnsley

Cheltenham Town
22.2%
Draw
5.6%
Barnsley
72.2%
18
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds33228360223874
2Plymouth ArgylePlymouth35228563382574
3Ipswich TownIpswich351912468313769
4Barnsley33196852292363
5Bolton WanderersBolton36189951282363
6Derby CountyDerby351710856332361
7Wycombe WanderersWycombe341761147321557
8Peterborough UnitedPeterborough341731455421354
9Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury35157134438652
10Portsmouth34131294640651
11Lincoln CityLincoln3491873233-145
12Exeter CityExeter341110134544143
13Port Vale35127163549-1443
14Fleetwood TownFleetwood351012133637-142
15Bristol Rovers34119144755-842
16Charlton AthleticCharlton341011134546-141
17Cheltenham TownCheltenham35107182646-2037
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd3599173645-936
19Burton Albion3398164062-2235
20Accrington StanleyAccrington33810152851-2334
21Morecambe35712163454-2033
22MK Dons3586213154-2330
23Cambridge UnitedCambridge3586212756-2930
24Forest Green RoversForest Green3558222766-3923

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